JOHANNESBURG: Armed robbers assaulted a Chinese company here Thursday, fleeing with cash and laptops worth 50,000 U.S. dollars, Chinese consulate officials said Friday.

The company, Kunsan Tongyou Electric Lift Company, started doing lift installation business in South Africa this March. It has about 36 Chinese staffs.

The 28 Chinese staffs in the house were threatened by guns and tied up during the robbery.

Local police is investigating the case. However, no arrests have been made yet.

Lou Xiandi, police attache of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, urged all Chinese in South Africa to be vigilant and take adequate measures to protect themselves and their properties.